The way Seahawks wide receiver Jermaine Kearse has played over Seattle’s last two playoff runs, it might be time to start calling him “Big Game Jermaine.”

The Lakes High School and University of Washington alumnus continued his string of stellar postseason play, adding his name to the Seahawks’ record books on Saturday with his 63-yard touchdown catch from Russell Wilson in the second quarter of the divisional-round win over the Carolina Panthers.

It was a catch that showed off as much savvy as it did skill, as the 24-year-old was able to use his left arm to manage just enough of a push-off on Carolina’s Bene Benwikere to create the separation needed for Kearse to haul in the ball with his right hand. And he did it all with enough fluidity to stay on his feet and race down the field for the longest pass reception in Hawks postseason history.

In fact, it was so smooth that his quarterback didn’t know it was a one-handed catch until well after the fact.

“I’m actually at dinner, and they’re showing it on the TV at Metropolitan Grill,” Wilson said on Wednesday. “I see the catch and I go, ‘Oh, man, he caught that one-handed.’ I didn’t know that he did that. So that was pretty phenomenal.”

Kearse put up career numbers in 2014, catching 38 passes for 537 yards. But he scored only once during the regular season after picking up four touchdowns in 2013. He matched that with his effort against the Panthers, racking up 129 receiving yards, including the record-setting score, on just three targets from Wilson.

It wouldn’t be at all surprising to see him come up with a big reception against Green Bay in Sunday’s NFC championship game either, because Kearse’s penchant for coming up big in crucial situations is becoming something of a habit.

The third-year receiver came up with big play after big play for the Seahawks during their run to the Super Bowl last season, including jaw-dropping touchdowns in both the NFC championship game and Super Bowl XLVIII.

“He’s very, very calm,” head coach Pete Carroll said when asked why Kearse succeeds on the big stage. “He’s a very poised guy. Where other players it might affect, it doesn’t affect him.”

“Jermaine just loves playing the game of football,” fellow wide receiver Doug Baldwin said on Wednesday, “and he loves getting his opportunities in big games.”

Baldwin, who had a first-quarter touchdown of his own against Carolina, chalked up some of Kearse’s success to a mindset that allows him to stay focused on the game even when his number isn’t being called.

Jermaine Kearse’s 63-yard touchdown reception against the Panthers was the longest pass play in team postseason history. (Harry How/Getty Images)

“One of the things I’ve noticed about Jermaine is that he’s always in it mentally,” Baldwin said. “It doesn’t matter if he gets one target in the first half or 10 targets in the first half, he’s going to be ready when that fourth-quarter pass comes his way and he’s going to make the play the majority of the time.

Kearse agreed, attributing some of that ability on the mental toughness he’s developed after three years in a run-first offense with the Seahawks after joining the team as part of the once-maligned rookie class of 2012.

“We know this style of offense, so you learn to be mentally tough,” he said. “But you learn to be mentally tough because in the game you might not see the ball until the fourth quarter. So you learn to train your mind to be prepared at all times.”

That preparation has given him a rapport with Wilson, who will go to Kearse in situations that he perhaps wouldn’t with other receivers — particularly on the big stage, according to Carroll and Baldwin.

“I know Russell does count on him a great deal to make some plays and make some catches when maybe he’s not open but he’ll give him an opportunity to because he trusts in him,” Carroll said.

“He’s always prepared for the moment,” Baldwin said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a preseason game or if it’s in the Super Bowl, he’s prepared for the moment.”

A Seattle Seahawks helmet, a Green Bay Packers helmet, and the NFC championship trophy are displayed Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015 before Seattle Seahawks NFL football practice in Renton, Wash. The Seahawks will ... more

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman laughs as he talks to reporters Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015, before NFL football practice in Renton, Wash. The Seahawks will face the Green Bay Packers, Sunday in the ... more

Photo: Ted S. Warren / AP

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Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson raises his arms and ends his remarks to reporters with his traditional "Go Hawks!," Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015, before NFL football practice in Renton, Wash. The Seahawks will face the Green Bay Packers, Sunday in the NFC Championship game. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson raises his arms and ends his remarks to reporters with his traditional "Go Hawks!," Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015, before NFL football practice in Renton, Wash. The ... more

Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Kevin Williams , left, gestures as he runs warmup drills with teammates including defensive end David King (70) before NFL football practice Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015 in Renton, Wash. The Seahawks will face the Green Bay Packers Sunday in the NFC Championship game. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less

Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Kevin Williams , left, gestures as he runs warmup drills with teammates including defensive end David King (70) before NFL football practice Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015 in ... more

Photo: Ted S. Warren / AP

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Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch walks on the field during warmups before NFL football practice Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015 in Renton, Wash. The Seahawks will face the Green Bay Packers Sunday in the NFC Championship game. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less

Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch walks on the field during warmups before NFL football practice Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015 in Renton, Wash. The Seahawks will face the Green Bay Packers Sunday in the ... more

Photo: Ted S. Warren / AP

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Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, center, walks on the field as players stretch during warmups before NFL football practice Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015 in Renton, Wash. The Seahawks will face the Green Bay Packers Sunday in the NFC Championship game. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, center, walks on the field as players stretch during warmups before NFL football practice Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015 in Renton, Wash. The Seahawks will face the Green ... more

Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) stretches on the side of a practice field during warmups before NFL football practice Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015 in Renton, Wash. The Seahawks will face the Green Bay Packers Sunday in the NFC Championship game. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less

Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) stretches on the side of a practice field during warmups before NFL football practice Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015 in Renton, Wash. The Seahawks will face the ... more

Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch stands on the field following NFL football practice Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015 in Renton, Wash. The Seahawks will face the Green Bay Packers Sunday in the NFC Championship game. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less

Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch stands on the field following NFL football practice Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015 in Renton, Wash. The Seahawks will face the Green Bay Packers Sunday in the NFC ... more